Crackdown on dumpers nets $30,000 for Parramatta Council

THE Parramatta CounciI crackdown on illegally dumped rubbish - started by an 11-year-old boy - has netted close to $30,000 in fines in a year.

The council’s Dob in a Dumper campaign was started in January 2010 after schoolboy Laith Jammal complained about the amount of rubbish residents had dumped in his Rosehill street.

The council was quick to act, swooping on piles of rubbish and investigating who the dumpers were - with the help of a dobbing public tired of the mess.

Up until January this year, Rid Squad and council officers worked together to investigate a total of 1178 illegal dumping incidents.

Council investigations led to 225 people being identified and removing the rubbish at their own cost. Most dumping - furniture and household goods in the main - was done by departing residents or landlords, a council spokesman said.

A total of 98 penalty notices have been issued, resulting in $29,950 being paid in fines.

Biggest coup was the successful prosecution of Tramway Rosehill, leading to a $15,000 conviction.

Lord Mayor John Chedid praised Jammal, now 14, for starting the campaign and making the council more aware of dumping throughout the city’s residential streets.